COMMISSIONING WEEK TRADITIONS
History
Although the U.S. Naval Academy was founded in 1845, it did not have a consecutive four year
academic program until 1850. The first formal graduation was held on June 10, 1854. During
war time, 1st Class Midshipmen (seniors) sometimes had no formal graduation ceremony or were
given their diplomas, and for the two world wars, they received their commissions early. Admiral
David Dixon Porter, the Academy’s sixth Superintendent from 1865 to 1869, began adding
parades, dances, and athletics to graduation week, originally called June Week. It was not until
1912 that graduates were commissioned on graduation day. The week of festivities was renamed
Commissioning week in 1979 when changes in the Academic calendar moved the events to May.
Commissioning week features a variety of long standing traditions culminating in the conferral of
diplomas and awarding of commissions to graduating Midshipmen. Since 1966, the graduation
ceremonies have been held outside in the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Previously, the
event has been held at locations across the Academy grounds and in the 19th century, it was held
in the Academy chapel. Between 1903 and 1956, ceremonies were held in the armory, now
named Dahlgren Hall. From 1957 through 1965, graduations were held in what was later known
as Halsey Field House.
Parades
Commissioning Week dress parades at the U.S. Naval Academy began in 1846. The first parade,
held on June 27, 1846, honored the Board of Examiners and consisted of exercises in the manual
of arms and infantry tactics.
Color Parade/Color Competition
The oldest parade at the U.S. Naval Academy is the Color Parade, a tradition which began in
1867. Midshipmen anticipate this parade as their last full dress parade while at the Academy.
The highlight of the Color Parade is the formal presentation of the color company pennant to
the company that has excelled in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments
by the “color honoree,” the brigade commander and the Superintendent.
Naval Academy Class Rings/Ring Dance
Since 1869, each Naval Academy class selects its own committee to design its class crest. The
crest is then incorporated, along with the coat-of-arms of the Academy, into the design of the
class ring. A complete collection of the rings can be found in the U.S. Naval Academy Museum.
Second class Midshipmen (juniors) do not wear their rings until they are “baptized” at the Ring
Dance during Commissioning Week, a tradition since 1925. Traditionally, the water for dipping
the rings is acquired from the Seven Seas of the world by USNA alumni members of the fleet.
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TRADITIONS (Cont.)
Graduation Ceremony
The commencement address to the graduating class of midshipmen may be given by the United
States President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Navy, Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations or another distinguished speaker. During the
ceremony, the members of the graduating class are sworn into the Navy as Ensigns or into the
Marine Corps as 2nd Lts. As the last group of diplomas is presented, the graduates sing "Navy
Blue and Gold." The new 1st Class Midshipmen lead three cheers for "those who are about to
leave us," and the graduates, led by the class president, respond with three cheers "for those we
leave behind." On the last "hooray" of this cheer, the graduates toss their midshipman caps into
the air, to be recovered by spectators as mementos of the occasion.
After graduation, family members and friends pin on the new ensign’s shoulder boards or the
second lieutenant’s gold bars.
Oath of Office
Having been appointed an Ensign/2nd Lt. in the United States Navy/Marine Corps to rank
from [Graduation/Commissioning date], do you solemnly swear that you will support and
defend the constitution of The United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic;
that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that you take this obligation
freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that you will well and
faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter; so help
you God?
Response by the graduates – “I DO!”
Graduation Hat Toss
The "hat toss," the traditional ending to graduation and commissioning ceremonies at all the
service academies, originated at the Naval Academy in 1912. Before then, Naval Academy
graduates had to serve two years in the fleet as Naval Cadets or Midshipmen before being
commissioned as officers in the Navy or Marine Corps, and they needed to retain their
Midshipman’s hats for their sea tour. Beginning with the Class of 1912, graduates were
commissioned ensigns or second lieutenants, following the reception of their diplomas and hence
no longer needed their Midshipman’s hats. In a spontaneous gesture, the new officers tossed their
old hats into the air. This "hat toss" became the symbolic and visual end to the four-year program
at the Naval Academy.
Silver Dollar Salute
A long honored tradition in all the United States armed services is for a newly commissioned
officer to give a silver dollar to the first enlisted person or Midshipman who salutes him or her. It
is believed that the one dollar allotment given an officer for an aide in the early 19th century is
the origin of this custom. The silver dollar signifies the deep sense of gratitude an officer has to
the enlisted ranks for the knowledge they pass on and for the respect they give in providing a
greeting by their salute.
USNA
May 2013